Chinese investors plan to build 8 smelters in Bantaeng

Eight Chinese investors plan to build eight smelters in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, with combined investment of about US$4 billion, reports said on Tuesday.

Each investor is expected to process about 1.2 million tons of nickel ores per year into various downstream products such as ferronickel and stainless steel.

Director General of Manufacturing Industry Base at the Ministry of Industry, Harjanto was quoted as saying that the eight investors were scheduled to meet with ministry top officials today to discuss their business plans and potential local partners.

He added that the Bantaeng Regency administration has allocated 3,000 hectares of land for the planned projects, and state-owned electricity firm PLN has also guaranteed the supply of electricity for the planned smelters.

He also said that the required raw material nickel ores will be supplied by local miners.

Harjanto said that two investors including Huadi Steel Group and Macrolink Co. Ltd. are set to realize their investment plans this year. (*)